A Thunderbolt from the sky..A thunderbolt that could make change.A Thunderbolt that will tear apart the black clouds of imperialism and communalism that had covered India.Yes change is inevitable..Change will Come..

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Eastern
Jatha reached Lucknow today crossing more than 275 kilometers through
central Uttar Pradesh. The journey started from Varanasi, where a big
public meeting was held last night. The meeting took place in Kacchibagh
area, commonly known as Bunkers’ area. It is here the artistry of famed
Benarasi saris have flourished. Both handloom and powerloom weaving
are being done here in almost every other house. Weavers, numbering
almost 50,000 in Varanasi, are facing multi-dimensional crisis for last
few years. The problem is more acute for the handloom weavers, who, by
the way earned their skills through generations. Benarasi saris had to
be made with intricacy and needs long hours to complete one. Handloom
weavers are facing challenges from powerlooms, while in the later,
workers or the actual weavers are not paid their fair share.

Weavers have formed their organization and are fighting a difficult
battle for survival of the trade and their own demands. CPI(M) has
strong influence among Bunkers which was reflected in the meeting on
Monday evening which went on for hours. Mostly from the minorities, the
weavers gathered and listened to CPI(M) leaders explaining how centre’s
policies were ruining the livelihood of the people.

On Tuesday, jatha on its way was warmly received in three places in
Jaunpur district. At the entrance of the district, a street corner
meeting was addressed by Prakash Karat. In Jaunpur town, an unscheduled
meeting had to be conducted as people were eagerly waiting with
enthusiasm.

The public meeting in Sultanpur was not only quite a large one, but
reverberated with enthusiasm. Peasants and agricultural workers from
nearby villages attended the meeting. Most notably, students and youth
participated in good numbers. Students' front is active in Sultanpur
town and in the district. Many teenagers, with both red flag and flag of
the student front came to listen to the leaders. They continued slogan
shouting as long as the rally continued. Dalits and minorities were
present in good numbers.

By evening the Jatha reached Lucknow. A public meeting was held in
the field adjacent to CPI(M) state office on Vidhansabha Marg. As soon
as the Jatha reached the border of Lucknow city, poor women virtually
blocked the bus and garlanded leaders. In the public meeting, student
and youth front activists raised slogans and sang songs with gusto.